Paula Poundstone December 4, 2009

On Friday, December 4th the Calvin Theatre & PAC in Northampton, MA is proud to present comedian Paula Poundstone. Armed with nothing but a stool, a microphone and a can of Diet Pepsi, Paula’s ability to create humor on the spot has become the stuff of legend. Little wonder people leave Paula’s shows debating whether the random people she talked to were “plants” – which, of course they never are, and complaining that their cheeks hurt from laughter. .

Paula’s spontaneity and razor-sharp wit have made her one of the most popular panelists on NPR’s hilarious weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me. (2008 winner of the prestigious Peabody Award for Broadcasting excellence). Paula’s commentaries can be heard on NPR’s Morning Edition and read on the Huffington Post and comedy site: 23/6. Her first book, There’s Nothing In This Book That I Meant To Say, (with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore) was published by Random House and she is hard at work on her second for the same imprint. She also just released her first comedy CD: I HEART JOKES: Paula Tells Them In Maine, 60 minutes of hilarious comedy recorded live at the sensational Stone Mountain Arts Center – because as Paula says, “It’s very hard to do it any other way.”
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Paula has been named the 2009 National Spokesperson for (ALTAFF), The Association of Library Trustees Advocates Friends & Foundations, a national network of enthusiastic library supporters who believe in the importance of libraries as the social and intellectual centers of communities and campuses. Paula is supporting libraries on a local level by partnering with promoters and the local Friends organization in cities where she performs. The local Friends group receives tickets for use in fundraising or promotion as well as a portion of the book and CD sales after her performance where she makes herself available for signings. Says Poundstone: “It’s funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women. The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed. If you haven’t been to your library lately, you’re over-due.”

Paula has had several solo specials on HBO and most recently, BRAVO. She was the first woman to win an ACE (the Cable EMMY) for Best Standup Comedy performance and the first woman to be invited to perform at the distinguished White House Correspondents dinner where those in attendance included the President. Paula has made frequent TV appearances including Letterman, Leno, Craig Ferguson, as well as Garrison Keillor’s, A Prairie Home Companion.
GET A LAUGH: Paula’s first-ever comedy CD http://www.paulapoundstone.com/NewCD.html
Visit Paula at : http://www.paulapoundstone.com www.facebook.com/paulapoundstone . www.myspace.com/paulapoundstone http://twitter.com/PaulaPoundstone

Showtime: 8:00PM Tickets: $25-$35 Call: 413-586-8686 or visit www.iheg.com
The Calvin Theatre & PAC is located at 19 King ST. Northampton, MA 01060